Pivot and Pause in New England
A Photographic Journal of Opportunities
Find magic in every day.
It may be just a glimmer, a passing moment of appreciated beauty or a positive energy all which can be so easily overlooked.
Further fortunate to have shared it with others who were equally affected.
“You have found the other side of the rainbow” remarked a high school friend. What a perfectly beautiful response and how fulfilling to have received it.
I think you may be right Ian and thank you for helping me see that.
Set back in the North Stamford country, local music comes alive at Riverbank Ramble which hosts an all day music festival.
Come with a picnic and wine and plan to hang all day being thoroughly engaged with great local bands.
As the sun sets and the audience dances in front of the colorful barn I couldn’t think of a nicer final day to summer.
Sign up for their emails of upcoming events by googling Riverbank Ramble.
Did you ever try just walking around with a smile? Allowing your positive energy to motivate you to smile?
I was once asked why smile if you have nothing to smile about? I wish I had better understood how to respond to that when I was asked so many years ago.
Now I would say, that’s the journey; and it’s a beautiful one with happiness around you if you accept it.
Now I would say, if you feel there’s nothing to smile about you’re knocking at the wrong door. You are trying too hard.
It’s your decision. You are in control (I didn’t believe it either) 😊
Start by finding your inspiration. Look inside of you. Not to others.
It doesn’t mean you don’t have struggles. Everyone does. It means on your journey you learn how to accept and work on both.
“You are beautiful. You are powerful. You are unique”
Thank you Alessia Adler and Lifetime Stamford for being such a great influence on mind and body health and fitness.
Now go out and just 😊! You might find others will be smiling back (and it’s none of your business what they’re thinking).
September 2024
Wait, I grew up here? Somehow I never saw so many lovely sights in and around Central Park. Highlights I’d recommend:
With several baseball diamonds and a great NYC backdrop
Also had never been even though I grew up here. Wait what? Yep.
Walk around the pond and you will find loads of turtles just waiting to say hi.
Now this I would enjoy. How fun does that look (as the passenger 😉
Enjoy the dedication to John Lennon right outside the Dakota (the building where he lived).
Coming in a Sunday you can also go to a farmers market but listen – stop at Magnolia’s Bakery which has the best banana pudding ever! We covered about five miles so go ahead and have some!
TIP: if you’re a metro north commuter you can grab some on the way home at Grand Central.
Decisions . . . decisions . . .
Having been to Napa Valley and Sonoma, we wondered whether to continue up the coast of California or go inward to Paso Robles and try some wine. The decision was made when Justin Vineyard was there as that’s a frequent go to wine in our home area.
Justin Vineyards & Winery is best known for its iconic Isosceles wine, a Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. It was definitely my favorite.
A worthy stop but I would go to a few while you’re in the area- I noticed J Lohr and Daou of ones I was familiar.
The day was long driving through Big Sur, walking around Carmel By the Sea, hiking the shore of Point Lobos. But alas, there was still the opportunity for a sunset.
I am drawn by reflections.
I am drawn by the clouds in the water.
I am drawn by the clouds above the sun.
Everyone else was way back on the beach but I found myself navigating the rough rock terrain to find the angle to capture the reflection.
It was August yet it was windy and I was cold but as we navigated the dunes I found a cluster of flowers to frame the sunset. It wasn’t until I reviewed the shots that I saw the rock shaped like a heart right in the center above the flowers.
Miracles are everywhere if you allow yourself to see them. Be touched by them. Share them. Save them.
Point Pinos, Pacific Grove, California
Wow! 17 miles of delight with a special ending! If you are into biking, this is a great ride to allow you to most easily stop at the 17 highlighted areas plus! You, of course, can also drive. Just watch the signs to follow the scenic drive as this is also a residential area with their roads.
There is a cost of entering 17 mile drive but spoiler alert – you can use that receipt at the end at one of the restaurants and get a credit! So save that receipt! ($12 Aug 2024)
Many years ago I took this drive to see the Lone Cypress. Fun fact, it was when I first started to enjoy hobby photography as that was when I noticed the concept of framing a picture with your surroundings versus just focusing on the object.
I had the most fun though at Bird Rock as I worked hard to capture this image of a close up bird (a bit blurry though), a nibbling squirrel with Bird Rock in the background.
Finally the special ending was having a wonderful meal at one of their restaurants – food, wine and view was lovely.
The timing was such that we were then able to circle back to see a wonderful sunset with a glowing foreground. Awesome ending!
Carmel by the Sea is a lovely upscale town. It has 18 tasting rooms and a robust option of stores. It also has Fairy houses around the town. I would look for a restaurant with an alcove in which to sit and absorb your surroundings. I didn’t have that opportunity.
Down by the shore you’ll find lovely Carmel Beach which is worth a pause.
About two miles down the road is Point Lobos with hiking by the rocky shore. At first I wondered if it would be anticlimactic next to the majesty of Big Sur but it was sufficiently unique and picturesque and worthy of the stop.
You’ll also be serenaded by all the sea lions just off the shore.
We did a record set of stops in San Francisco in a day. We had a car to help us but the roads were a challenge to navigate- quite steep with minimal visibility and narrow for two way streets!
Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, Bernal Heights, Mission Dolores Park, Alamo Park, Lombard Street and Fisherman’s Wharf.
I don’t think I’d change any single stop! They were each unique in their own way.
Note: only mistake was going to Golden Gate Park which we thought was the bridge. The park has loads of offerings but not the bridge!
Big Sur is an amazing ride along the rocky coast of California. Best to travel south to most easily turnoff for the overlooks.
I personally am scared of heights so had to hand over the wheel and hide a bit but when I peeked out it was beautiful!
I most enjoyed McWay Falls which was an easy hike from the small lot. I fortunately traveled on a weekday which I would recommend.
Also a lovely spot was Garrapata State park. Lovely meadows down to a shore. It was a bit breezy in August so bring a jacket.
There are many other pull offs. One being Bixby bridge which is one of the most famous spots but was filled so we moved on.
Give yourself some time and go with a comfortable driver who keeps you at ease 😉 xoxo
NOTE: as of this writing parts of Highway 1 was shut down for landslides (without a detour) and I’m told this happens quite a bit. Research before you go.
Pivot and Pause in New England